Bunsen Burner 11/1/13

Lab Experiment- partner Emma :>

1)  Light a busen burner using 2 different lighters.

Procedure:

• Attach the gas intake tube to the gas tap.
• Close the air-hole by adjusting/turning the collar
• Have the lighter ready; positioned at the top of the barrel.
• Turn the gas tap on completely and strike the lighter immediately and continuously if the burner is not lit.
• Turn the gas tap until the flame is about 5cm tall (approx.)
• Adjust/turn the collar until the air hole is opened.

<-picture of a non-luminous flame 

2) Understanding the Busen Burner flame

Find out which part of the (blue) Busen flame is hottest by designing a simple experiment.

Prediction/Hypothesis: 

The inside of the blue core is the hottest, as the inside appeared the most blue-ish when lighted , and the non-luminous flame has a higher temperature than the luminous flame.

Planning:

apparatus--> bunsen burner. lighter. metal tongs. thin wires (copper wires). stopwatch

Light the busen burner with the lighter. Using the metal tongs, hold the thin wires in the inside of the blue core. Measure the time taken for the wire to turn red, with the stopwatch. Repeat the whole experiment once, now holding the wire at the tip of the blue core 

-> SHOULD HAVE DONE THE PROCEDURE THRICE, MEASURING THE TIME TAKE ABOVE THE BLUE CORE TOO!!

(assuming the thickness of the wire is constant, however heating cause thickness to change)

diagram of busen flame, showing the hottest part of flame

<-wire at the top of blue core

Table of results:

independent variabledependent variable

Should have taken results time taken when the wire is placed above the blue core

Claims and Evidence:

Our hypothesis was incorrect because the inside of the blue core was actually unburnt gas and air, which is not as hot as the tip of the blue core, but is hotter than the luminous flame above the blue core.

Conclusion:

In this investigation, I have learned how to light a bunsen burner and also have a better understanding of the busen burner. For example, The luminous flame has a lower temperature compared to the non luminous flame, the tip of the blue core is the hottest part of the bunsen burner, etc.

Notes of busen burner :D

Reflections: I really enjoyed myself during the whole process of this experiment as i got to try out something new (lighting the bunsen burner) and learn more interesting facts about the bunsen burner. Although i had learned about the bunsen since learning primary science, but i never had a chance to try lighting it and even know so much about it. Hence, this was a eye-opening experience to me.

Questions:

• Why is the luminous and non-luminous flame orange and blue respectively? What makes them into this colour? Or is it just a natural reaction due to the combustion of the flame?

Useful links: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/ocr_gateway_pre_2011/carbon_chem/7_using_carbon_fuels2.shtml

http://tinyurl.com/aagsvjy (periodic table of elements)

Claims	Evidence